Messi names the 10 footballers he’s most excited about

Lionel Messi has revealed to the world the 10 players he regards as the most promising talents. Coincidentally, they’re all signed to Adidas, and there’s a solid geographic representation… shock.

Now we wouldn’t for a minute suggest that there is anything disingenuous about the idea that Leo has personally selected these players, especially given his unblemished history with honesty that the Spanish courts can attest to. A verse of Shaggy’s, ‘It wasn’t me’ springs to mind ?.

Some of the selections do seem rather odd; Nike-wearing hotshots like Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman are overlooked in favour of more unknown, three stripe wearers.

Here are the ten members of Adidas’s, sorry, ‘Team Messi’ selection…

Chanathip Songkrasin

We hear Thailand is a rather big market for Adidas, so it’s a beautiful coincidence that Leo likes to watch the Thai league on his days off.
Songkrasin, bizarrely known as ‘Jay’, is a 23-year-old Muangthong United star.
At 5ft 3in, he could make Messi feel like a giant should he ever make the improbable move to Barcelona.
Source: Today Online

Kasper Dolberg

The next player named by Adidas Messi is Kasper Dolberg, a 19-year-old Ajax forward who fittingly looks like a potential pin-up of the future.
The kid is highly rated, and the Dutch will be hoping he is part of a new generation that breathes life into their national side.
Source: Ajax Now

Gabriel Boschilia

Originating from Brazil, there is a chance that Leo could find himself an international rival of this young Monaco star in the future.
An attacking midfielder, Boschilia faces a battle to make a Seleção side brimming with talent in that particular position, but has been impressing on loan at Standard Liege and will be hoping to do his sponsors proud on the world stage before long.
Source: Lequipe

Kekuta Manneh

An African hopeful playing in Canada now, almost as though Leo is trying to appeal to as many people as possible; we must admit we don’t know much about Manneh.
What we do know is that he likes to dab and sports Adidas boots. Good luck to the guy.
Source: Usatsbi

Nadya Karpova

Next we’re over to the women’s game, covering another commercial giant, Russia.
Nadya Karpova’s Instagram profile contains the description ‘Team Russia / Adidas Athlete’, and photos in which she’s almost exclusively wearing their clobber. We’re sure Leo is a big fan.
Source: Instagram

Alex Muyl

Touching base in the States now, young New Yorkers will be tugging the coattails of the parents and begging for the latest pair of predators when they learn that Leo has chosen Red Bulls star Alex Muyl.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan with the side’s second string and has yet to feature for the national side, so we’re wondering if Nike wearer Cristian Pulisic might not more be worthy of the star’s support.
Source: Red Bulls Academy

Nathan

There’s nothing we love more than a Brazilian with an obscurely English name, so we are in full support of Nathan’s inclusion.
Hopefully the Chelsea star, one of their 15 million youngsters out on loan, can follow in the footsteps of Fred and Jo by making it big.
Source: Standard

Jean-Kevin Augustin

Jean-Kevin Agustin is a 19-year-old Frenchman with 14 PSG appearances to his name and three goals in four appearances for France U21s; facts that make us think he probably is a player to get excited about.
Also, his goal for the national U19 side warms our cockles.
Source: Perform Group

Davide Calabria

AC Milan have a habit of producing world-class defenders, and our mate Messi believes they have another on their hands in the form of 19-year-old, Davide Calabria.
Despite facing stiff competition from fellow promising young Italian Mattia De Sciglio, Calabria has made 11 first-team appearances and will be hoping to emulate Baresi, Maldini et al in being a big star for Milan and Italy. Judging by his impressive eyebrows, maybe Carlo Ancelotti is the member of the Rossoneri he admires most.
Source: AC Milan Bros

Patrick Roberts

If someone had told us there’d be a Celtic player on the list, we really would’ve guessed Moussa Dembele. It seems Leo didn’t like the cut of his Mercurials, however, and Patrick Roberts was chosen instead.
The teenager, contracted to Man City, is a big talent to be fair, and seems like a great guy to boot ?. Sorry, I'll show myself out.
Source: You Tube